Mom, wife, daughter, doctor, champion for women, Dr. Paula Orr wears many hats, and does it in style. The popular Lowcountry physician dedicated to women’s health is a News 2 Supergirl.

The morning routine in the Orr home begins like most families, calling the kids down for breakfast, prayers, assigning daily duties, and then a kiss good-bye. Dr. Paula Orr has mastered balancing the demands of work and family.
A busy wife and mother of four children, she tends to her family, then she’s out the door to tend to her patients.

Dr. Paula Orr is a board certified gynecologist and specializes in women’s health. She runs her own private practice, the Charleston Women’s Wellness Center. Her dedication to women’s health spans more than twenty years. “I think primarily I went into medicine to help people, and I chose women’s health because that’s an area in health care you know isn’t addressed,” Orr says.

Dr. Orr is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology, and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, and a member of the American Medical Association. She is a current Board of Trustees member of MUSC where she was appointed by the former Governor of SC. She has been practicing in the Charleston area for over ten years and has achieved numerous honors and recognition. She received her B.S. Degree from Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC, her Post-Baccalaureate from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI, and her Doctor of Medicine from Wayne State University School of Medicine in 1994. She completed her residency at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, IL, where she served as Chief Resident.

“In part what I do is i try to be holistic in their care as it relates to women’s health,” says Dr. Orr. “So even though they may come to me for their pap smear, I ask the questions about have you had your eyes examined? Have you had your foot examined, which is done for patients that are diabetic? Have you seen a cardiologist? Have you had cardiovascular screening? So I hope that’s the difference I’m making because I see those things unattended to in their health care.” Health care she provides with style in scrubs and pearls. Dr. Orr says, “I want patients to know that when they show up, they’re getting the best of me that I can give, and that sometimes includes pearls and scrubs.”

So how does she juggle it all? “I’m Doctor Mom, that’s my next reality t-v show,” says Dr. Orr with a laugh. “She’s an interesting character,” says daughter Jade, “She wears different hats.” Jada says her mom is her hero. “As a doctor and as a mom and through our church, the one thing that she has in common with all of them is just caring for people. I think the way that she handles just talking to people and communicating with people is one of the main things that makes her stand out as a person.” Jada continues, “I’m super proud of her. I love her drive and I love who she is as a woman in the work field. She’s all about breaking barriers. I think she is pretty super. She doesn’t necessarily get up and feel like she has to wear the cape every morning, but just her smile and her coming to say hi to people every morning, I feel there is an “S” on her chest.”

Between her husband, children, mother, and patients, Dr. Orr manages to find a spare moment for quiet time. “I have an area that’s carved out in my closet that’s like my War Room like in the movie War Room,” says Dr. Orr. “Sometimes I’ll go in there and sit and I’ll look out the window, and I may only have two minutes to do it, but I try every morning to take a minute to say thank you God, I’m still here. Tell me what I’m suppose to do today.”